The competition within the culinary industry is fierce!

It’s not always easy to come up with creative marketing ideas for restaurants. As a restaurant owner, you have a lot on your plate and marketing is just a small slice of your business. But it’s an important one that’s key to getting more customers in the door. If you’re looking for some effective and creative marketing strategies for your restaurant, here are 6 marketing ideas for restaurants that want to stay ahead of the curve.

Feedback found on restaurant review sites can greatly hurt or help your business. Here is why a good review matters and which sites you should pay attention to.

Restaurant review sites influence diners and their opinion of you. In fact, 77% of customers care more about online reviews than they do about reviews from professional critics. With the culture of influencers and social media, an endorsement online can make or break your establishment. Word of mouth is no longer enough—you must pay attention to your online reputation. Here are the most popular restaurant review sites you should be checking out and why it’s so important.

Want to spice up the seasonal beer game at your brewery? These stellar food and brew pairing options will keep your customers coming back for more.

A top-notch seasonal beer selection is a fun way to attract new customers and keep your regulars happy. The best part about seasonal beer? The unique flavors often pair well with food. Try these appetizer, lunch, dinner, and dessert ideas to complement each brew on your menu. Remember, every seasonal beer has its own flavor profile and a great way to highlight those notes is with a delicious dish from your menu. Craft beer lovers that visit your brewery will appreciate your insight and suggestions on food and drink pairings!

First inspired by the classic Mexican drink, the michelada, spicy beer is a cold and refreshing beverage with a distinctive heat. Craft beer drinkers all over rave about the spicy beer’s intense essence and rare combinations. From roasted chipotles to jalapeños and liquid smoke, the flavor profile of a classic spicy beer takes your craft brew game to a whole new level.

Social media for restaurants is important. Here’s how to set your establishment apart from others in the food industry!

Social media is vital for a restaurant’s success. 94% of people say a bad review has prevented them from a visit. Social media lets you take control of your online reputation and show customers the delicious meals you’re serving up. Your patrons’ impression begins long before they dine with you. Social media for restaurants drives business and marketing. Create a positive social media presence for your business to connect with customers and bring ‘em in!

Providing patrons with a stellar dining experience is what truly sets great restaurants apart. In the competitive food and hospitality industry, any opportunity to offer a distinctive and memorable meal will help you stand out and succeed. From fine dining to themed restaurants with a special niche, it’s ultimately the customer’s experience and satisfaction that matter most.

Lakefront Brewery is a thriving and beloved brewery and restaurant at the heart of Milwaukee’s riverfront.

Founded in 1987 by two brothers, Russ and Jim Klisch, this iconic beer establishment has been providing the Milwaukee community with good beer, good food, and even better memories for over 30 years. Interestingly, their ever-popular restaurant, located in the brewery’s beer hall, wasn’t always part of the plan.

We sat down with Russ Klisch, president and co-founder of Lakefront Brewery, and Mike Walker, Lakefront Brewery Front of House Manager to learn more about what it’s like to run a brewery restaurant business, how to create great brews, and the details of Lakefront Brewery’s journey to becoming a treasured Milwaukee staple.

The growing demand for clean eating restaurants in America continues to increase each year.

Customers are seeking out the best whole foods, healthy eats, and organic ingredients. Many people appreciate the mindful approach to food that clean eating restaurants promote. More than ever, customers pay attention to the types of food they’re consuming. This shift in the standard American diet means restaurants must adapt to please a more health-conscious population.

The farm to table trend is rapidly growing in popularity throughout the food service industry.

Restaurants who serve meals using local ingredients attract more customers and cut food costs. As the needs and wants of patrons change, restaurants must adapt and grow. Customers have an appetite for local flavor and want to connect with their food. The farm to fork movement was born from the idea that local is best. The movement benefits entire communities, bringing together local farms and restaurants to forge meaningful relationships. Not only does this mean your farm to table restaurant will be serving only the cleanest and healthiest foods, but your customers will be happy and satisfied.

The number of food trucks is on the rise and that’s a good sign for the restaurant industry as a whole.

The popularity of food trucks is soaring and shows no signs of slowing down. Budding chefs and restaurateurs once saw food trucks as a novel way to enter into the culinary industry without a brick and mortar investment. Now, even established eateries are embracing food trucks for a variety of reasons. Before you starting truck shopping or coming up with punny names for your menu, consider the benefits and the challenges of operating a food truck connected to your restaurant. Here’s what every restaurateur needs to know about the trend.